7.20.2011

I mentioned in the Decorative Aged Door: Before and After post, that I wanted a wreath for my 'new' door that was full, had a softness to it, and was neutral in color. After searching the web for awhile with no luck finding what I had in mind, I remembered a wreath that I made back in the late 90's. That was when the light came on in my head and I realized that I might be able to update the look by using burlap. Long story short it's exactly what I was hoping for and I love how it looks on the door!

I wish I knew where the idea for the first bubble wreath originated (from the 80's or 90's?) to give credit, but I don't have a clue. I'm a bit embarrassed to admit that I still have mine from the 90's. It's been tucked away in a tote for years waiting to be re-made. Obviously it hasn't been a top priority of mine. I was really into hunter green and mauve back then, but I bet you couldn't tell. ; )

Original and Updated Versions

Note: If you'd like to make a bubble wreath with a light-medium weight fabric, like the one on the left, you may need to run the pin through the sides of the fabric square as well as the corners. Just run the pin around the edge like you are making a very large slip stitch. Keep reading and you'll understand what I'm talking about. :)

Supplies Needed

1-10" foam wreath

(check your dollar store)

1 1/4 -1 1/2 yds. burlap, or other fabric

@100 pins with large heads

(You can use small headed pins for fabrics with a tighter weave.

I used my old sewing pins and then bought a new package to replace them, now I have new pins for sewing.)

How to Make A Burlap Bubble Wreath

(I came up with a new way to fold and pin the squares that I think is easier and faster than how we pinned them back in the 90's.)

I used a white pin in the pictures to show where you will hold the fabric with your thumb and index finger when folding it. You don't need to pin it until step five.

1. Cut your fabric into 4" x 4" squares (or close to that). I cut one square first to make sure it was the size that I wanted and then used it as a guide to cut the rest of the squares.

Cut the fabric into 4" strips and then cut each strip into 4" squares. The squares don't need to be measured and cut precisely if you don't want to take the time, but should all be cut pretty close to the same size.

2. Fold the square in half to form a triangle. Take the right hand corner (pinch one layer of the fabric on the very tip) and bring it to the front. Line up the corners.

3. Take the left hand corner (pinch one layer of fabric on the very tip) and take it to the back. Line up the corners.

4. All four corners should be lined up at the bottom. It should look like a bubble now.

5. Pin through all four layers of fabric.

6. Pin the 'bubbles' to the wreath. Pin one bubble on and then place the next one close to it so that it hides the pin on the one that you just added. The bubbles should be just close enough so you don't see any of the foam wreath or the pins.

This pic of the back will give you a better idea of how it all goes together. You'll want to bring the bubbles around the edge just far enough so when the wreath is against the glass/wall the green doesn't show from the side. (You can cover the back with fabric first if you'd like.)

To give you an idea of how many it will take, I used just over 90 burlap squares for this wreath.

My sister had a great idea to use colored burlap (orange, red, brown) for the fall or (red, green) for Christmas. Wouldn't that be fun?

Hopefully I've explained this so it all makes sense, but if you have any questions, please feel free to ask! I was happy to learn through reading the comments on the decorative door post that I'm not alone in my readiness to bring back the bubble wreath. Who knows, it might just happen! I think it's time...do you? ; )

Updated to add: You might also like these simple holiday additions to the burlap bubble wreath.

What a great way to update a 90's wreath to make it more modern. I love me some burlap so I am definitely going to have to try this. Thanks for the great tutorial. I found you over at Serenity Now...have a great weekend!

Your wreath is just great! I predict it will spread like wild fire over blog land...we will all be wanting to do one. Thanks so much for sharing this (I don't remember it from the 1990's but then, I don't remember a lot of things these days).

Wow!!! This is gorgeous! I've never seen anything like it. I just love it! I am definitely going to be making one of these this week!!! I'm off to the store to buy burlap in the morning!!! Thanks so much for the inspiration!

Wow!!! This is gorgeous! I've never seen anything like it. I just love it! I am definitely going to be making one of these this week!!! I'm off to the store to buy burlap in the morning!!! Thanks so much for the inspiration!

Where has the time gone? It doesn't seem that long ago that Mauve and green were the "thing":) This looks great! Love the neutral look--I always have--I am ab it boring when it comes to color. I am your newest follower. I hope you can visit me sometime soon!

I love your wreath! And the door! I love old windows and doors! I have an old window as decoration in my house. It is on my blog if you want to check it out!http://mylilpumpkinpatch.blogspot.com/2011/06/window-from-my-past.html

I'm so happy I found your blog through Kara's linky party today. :) I love it!I'd like to invite you to share your creations sometime at my weekly linking party as well. I am really trying to grow my party to include lots of creative projects just like this one. Thanks for the consideration and here is the direct link. ~ TracyT.G.I.F. Linky Party

Janet...what can I say? This wreath is wickedly amazing! I would love for you to show this off at my Wickedly Crafty Saturdays! http://wiccanmakesometoo.blogspot.com/2011/07/wickedly-crafty-saturdays.html

OMG!!! I have been searching far and wide on how to make this exact wreath!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! This is on my list of things to do immediatly!!! It looks amazing!!! I am so excited I want to take off work and go home and make this wreath NOW!!! :)

Hey I just wanted to say thanks for this!!! I made it this weekend and LOVE it! But my bubbles look nothing like yours - I couldn't figure out why! I am happy with how it turned out, but couldn't figure it out! Here it is if you want to peek... http://clgdesign.blogspot.com/2011/11/burlap-wreath.html

Here it is NOVEMBER and I just found your tutorial on your Burlap Bubble Wreath! This e-x-a-c-t-l-y what I've been looking for and had no idea what it was called! Just gorgeous and now, thanks to you, I get to make my very own! Thanks so much for sharing this tutorial with us!

To Luvin' the Hubs: You're welcome! It's a fun wreath to make. I'm not 100% sure that it was called a bubble wreath back in the 90's, but I couldn't remember for sure so I just called it that. The name seems to fit. Glad you found it. :)

To Sarah: You're welcome. :) The pins actually stay in really well. I don't know how they would do on the outside of a door with the wind, but inside, they stay put without the need for glue. If one of the bubbles were to pop out, you would just need to adjust it so it fit better and place the pin in a new spot on the foam wreath.

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I had all the supplies and was ready to make a burlap wreath, but could not find one I liked until now! Love it! I have never made wreaths before, I have now! It turned out so cute. I Did a 14" foam wreath with white burlap and it has one large starfish to the side to go with a beach decor.

To Kathleen: You know, I haven't ever tried hot glue, but I bet it would help keep the bubbles in place on windy days. It doesn't hurt to try. If you have problems with the hot glue melting your foam wreath, you might could try wrapping it in fabric first before you start adding the bubbles. Have fun and let me know how it goes! :)

I made it this week and LOVE it so much!!! The messy, non-uniformed look is absolutely perfect. Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial! I ended up adding a monogram and a berry bunch that I had to fall-ify it! ;) Hanging on my front door as of today! :)

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Made one and just love it! I used a straw wreath base because I couldn't find a foam one like yours, and it worked like a charm. I left the plastic wrap on the wreath and wrapped it in burlap. The pins really do hold tightly. Making another for my front door.

The Original Burlap 'Bubble' Wreath {Tutorial}

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